My Bicentennial Memories
I’m not sure I believe in fate, but there must be a reason why I could never bring myself to throw out my Ross Bicentennial bicycle. My parents, despite complaining about its prolonged residence in the cellar of 1710 78th street, could never bring themselves to roll the bike out with Tuesday trash (something they had no issue doing with all my other toys and preciouses). Maybe I or they knew the Bicentennial would be something I’d one day revisit. Or maybe we all knew, as long as the bike remained, so would those wonderful hazy summer day memories of years past.
Keep checking back, I’ll be adding some wonderful star-spangled, red, white, and blue blasts from the past as we countdown to America 250.
Bicentennial Smile
And now a Bicentennial message from the ADA - “A lot of people helped make this country great, and teeth helped them do it.”
No argument here.
Bicentennial Minute July 22, 1976
From this week in 1976 - Will Rogers Jr. speaks of Congress beginning to debate the Articles of Confederation. What they expected to take days, took five years. “We’d all learn that proclaiming a union of states was one thing, but making it work, that was something else.” Pretty sure we’re still working on it.
America 250
Let’s switch gears for a moment and look forward instead of to the past. Here is the official logo for the forthcoming 250th birthday of our nation, as well as link to the official website. So it begins.
Bicentennial Parade 2
Here are some additional scenes from Disney’s America on Parade celebrating the Bicentennial.
Bicentennial Chip
As I’m off to say my goodbyes to The Mirage, here is a Bicentennial commemorative $1 chip from the Holiday Casino (now Harrah’s Las Vegas).
Let it ride!
Bicentennial Stamps
This Official United Stated Post Office Commemorative Stamp set was gifted to my wife by her Grandmother on the occasion of her birth. And yet she’s still only 29???
First Bicentennial Minute - July 4, 1974
Fifty years ago, the first Bicentennial Minute aired on CBS. Initially 732 one-minute messages were planned to run nightly finishing on the Bicentennial; however, 912 were produced in total with the final airing on the evening of December 31, 1976. While Charlton Heston’s actual Bicentennial Minute has been lost to time, please click on the article to view what his message to the nation might be if filmed today.
Bicentennial Bell Ringing
Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library: President Ford initiates the ringing of Bicentennial bells across the nation while on the flight deck of the USS Forrestal with Bicentennial Administration head John Warner in observance of Operation Sail activities. A similar celebration is planned for the nation’s 250th birthday in two years.
Bicentennial Pez
Nothing more patriotic or sweeter than a rectangle of solidified corn syrup spilled from a gaping hole in Uncle Sam’s neck.
Bicentennial Flag
On June 28th, 1976, The Great American Flag - the largest flag ever made at the time, measuring 193 feet by 366.5 feet - was unrolled across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge for a test run prior to the Bicentennial. After just a few hours it was unfortunately ripped to shreds by wind. As one Bridge and Tunnel engineer put it, “The stars are still up, but the stripes are down.”
Bicentennial Superfight 2
On June 26, 1976, boxing world champion, Muhammad Ali, fought legendary Japanese wrestler, Antonio Inoki, in what was a precursor to mixed martial arts competition. The modified rules to the match severely limited Inoki’s move set, forcing him to spend the majority of the match crawling on his back, kicking at Ali’s legs. Ali suffered over 100 kicks leaving him with two blood clots which were said to be responsible for his subsequent decline in mobility. Footage of the fight exists online, but it’s not pretty. Hogan and Stallone did it better.
Bicentennial Glasses 2
I’d like my Bicentennial loud, fun, and with extra cheese, thank you. And a side of onion rings.
Bicentennial Disney
To celebrate the Bicentennial, Disney’s presentation of America on Parade was featured in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World from June of 1976 through September of 1976. Click on the photo to view the TV special which aired in April 1976. There’s also many home movies of better quality on Youtube.
Bicentennial Debut
On July 14, 1976, nearly two centuries of the American experiment culminates in the debut of the Gong Show.
Bicentennial Ceramics
To celebrate the start of National Clay Week, here are some finely crafted, officially recognized Bicentennial commemoratives. And as everyone knows, if your ceramics aren’t fired to 1325° Fahrenheit, they’re likely just crap.
Bicentennial Cinema—June
Here are just some of the films released in June of 1976. I’d put up a picture of the 6 top grossing movies from last weekend for comparison, but it would just be depressing.
Bicentennial Bill
In 1976 the $2 bill was reissued after a decade's absence. To celebrate the Bicentennial, the image on the back of the bill was changed from a depiction of Jefferson’s home, Monticello, to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Bicentennial Beer Calendars
If you were lucky enough to start 1976 with the Pabst Blue Ribbon, Falls City, or Stroh’s calendar hanging on your kitchen wall, you knew the Bicentennial would be an amazing year.
Bicentennial Brooklyn Sign
One of my favorites— the Bicentennial edition of the iconic “Welcome to Brooklyn” sign made famous worldwide during the opening credits of Welcome Back, Kotter. If you’re wondering how the sign can look both accurate and brand new—it’s because this is one of the amazing replicas made by Jack Giambanco at majorminis.com. Check out his online store. These amazing replicas can help you relive many neighborhood memories, and if you weren’t so fortunate, help you make believe that you grew up in Brooklyn too!